Thanks so much for this important article. I'd add that another immediate task (i.e. whenever non-fascists can get back in political power) is to restructure our laws to protect democratic institutions: ex. overturn Citizens United, introduce proportional representation and/or ranked-choice voting, mandate term limits for Supreme Court Justices, rewrite anti-trust laws to be much more sweeping, etc.
Yes, definitely! The immediate problem is that we can't restructure our laws because of, well, Citizens United, gerrymandering, a reactionary Supreme Court, etc. . . . The more long-term problem is that there are too many rich people ( = "elite overproduction" in Turchin's language), so tax the elites so that there are fewer of them.
Excellent conceptually and lucidly explained. Not to mention probably all true. Resolving all of it requires overcoming many deeply embedded beliefs and aspirations. We are supposed to be “superior” and therefore dominant over animals. Yet we need to give up or hugely reduce consumption of animal products. This need for dominance is embedded in many religions and associated with masculinity and success. That our concept of manhood needs to advance is seen clearly in the current foundering of boys and young men, now more likely to be “incel” and to commit suicide than female counterparts and failing in academics. And degrowth is needed – but it still sounds to many like we don’t believe in progress or wealth creation. We are up against a lot of heavy obstacles.
Thanks so much for this important article. I'd add that another immediate task (i.e. whenever non-fascists can get back in political power) is to restructure our laws to protect democratic institutions: ex. overturn Citizens United, introduce proportional representation and/or ranked-choice voting, mandate term limits for Supreme Court Justices, rewrite anti-trust laws to be much more sweeping, etc.
Yes, definitely! The immediate problem is that we can't restructure our laws because of, well, Citizens United, gerrymandering, a reactionary Supreme Court, etc. . . . The more long-term problem is that there are too many rich people ( = "elite overproduction" in Turchin's language), so tax the elites so that there are fewer of them.
Excellent conceptually and lucidly explained. Not to mention probably all true. Resolving all of it requires overcoming many deeply embedded beliefs and aspirations. We are supposed to be “superior” and therefore dominant over animals. Yet we need to give up or hugely reduce consumption of animal products. This need for dominance is embedded in many religions and associated with masculinity and success. That our concept of manhood needs to advance is seen clearly in the current foundering of boys and young men, now more likely to be “incel” and to commit suicide than female counterparts and failing in academics. And degrowth is needed – but it still sounds to many like we don’t believe in progress or wealth creation. We are up against a lot of heavy obstacles.